OKLAHOMA BUREAU OF NARCOTICS
AND DANGEROUS DRUGS CONTROL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2007
CONTACT: OBNDD SPOKESMAN MARK WOODWARD, (405) 521-2885 OR (800) 522-8031
STATE AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DISMANTLE MEXICAN METH DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the District Attorneys Drug Task Force 18 have halted an organization distributing large quantities of Mexican methamphetamine in Eastern and Southeastern Oklahoma. Mark Woodward, OBN Spokesman, says dozens of federal, state and local officers began serving 34 arrest warrants early this morning at locations in Pittsburg, Hughes and Atoka counties, as well as Dallas, Texas as part of an investigation that began over a year ago.
“This investigation, which was a spin-off from a case we worked
in 2006, targeted numerous individuals who would arrange for
meth from Mexico to be trafficked into Oklahoma and distributed
on the streets in several communities. Since 2004 when our
state passed a landmark pseudoephedrine control law, local meth
labs have been drastically reduced. Meth users are having to
rely more on Mexican drug organizations to funnel the drug
into Oklahoma. Federal, state and local law enforcement are
now turning resources and attention toward the individuals
heading up these organizations.
----OBN Spokesman Mark Woodward
Woodward says it was not uncommon for this organization to order and distribute between two and ten pounds of meth, weekly. The 34 defendants in this case face federal and state charges of meth distribution and money laundering. James L. Capra, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Division says these cooperative efforts send a powerful message to those trying to profit from illicit drug sales in Oklahoma.
“Today, we have come together with many of our law
enforcement partners to achieve a common goal. The
dismantling of this Mexican methamphetamine distribution
network is a major success in its own right. The far bigger success however, is that we have sent a profound message to any and all remaining drug dealers; that the law enforcement partnerships are solid, strong, and willing to go the distance to make our communities safe for our citizens. ”
----James L. Capra, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Division.
R Darrell Weaver, Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, agrees. Weaver says Oklahoma law enforcement will continue working together with an aggressive, proactive approach to unplug Mexican drug networks.
"We will not succeed any communities to drug traffickers and drug conspirators in Oklahoma. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with all law enforcement to combat this evil that can destroy the good we all stand for in our state. We have homeland security issues that we are all concerned about, but I submit that we also have hometown security issues that we must address. These hometown terrorist take names such as crack cocaine and methamphetamine or “ice”, and our state must have much resolve when dealing with these unwanted, destructive elements"
----R.Darrell Weaver, Director
In connection with the investigation, authorities served 7 search warrants on Tuesday in Pittsburg, Atoka and Hughes Counties. Authorities seized 2 ounces of meth, five thousand (5,000) pseudoephedrine tablets, and nearly 50 firearms. Assisting with the arrest warrants this morning were OBN, DEA, the US Attorneys Office for Eastern Oklahoma, District 18 and 22 District Attorneys Drug Task Forces, McAlester Police Department, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Support was also provided from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma National Guard.
(THE FOLLOWING IS A PARTIAL LIST OF THOSE IN CUSTODY. SOME NAMES ARE BEING WITHHELD AT THIS TIME)
NAME / DOB / NUMBER / ADDRESS / TOWN1 / BALDWIN, JESSICA / 9/19/1983 / PO BOX 734 / HARTSHORNE / OK
3 / BLANSETT, JARRED / 9/22/1982 / RR 6 BOX 54A / MCALESTER / OK
4 / CHAVERS, EVO SABRINA / 12/21/81 / 1888 PO BOX / MCALESTER / OK
6 / JACK RICE / 6/25/1945 / 2620 N. ASH ST / MCALESTER / OK
7 / TERRY "PEEWEE" FORD / 4/9/1985 / PO BOX 3803 / MCALESTER / OK
119 SUGAR PINE LN APT 7 / O FFALLON, / OK
8 / FRY, BRYAN / 11/19/1981 / RT 6, BOX R216A / MCALESTER / OK
9 / GIBSON, DAVIS (HOOT) / 11/3/1958 / 2801 N ROBIN ST / MCALESTER / OK
2110 N 11 / MCALESTER / OK
10 / GODWIN, STEPHANIE D / 12/31/1976 / 1007 E KIOWA AVE / MCALESTER / OK
AKA: WOOD, STEPHEN D / RR6 BOX 77R / MCALESTER / OK
RR 6 BOX 77R / MCALESTER / OK
RR 6, Box 77R / MCALESTER / OK
11 / HACKLER, GLEN JR. (BUBBA) / 10/3/1969 / RR 1 BOX 351 / HAYWOOD / OK
16 / MACCHIRELLA, JARED M / 9/23/1975 / OK
19 / MCCONATHY, BILLY / 6/6/1972 / 91 W BREWER AVE / MCALESTER / OK
23 / RIDDLE, SHERMAN BUTCH / 8/29/1951 / RR 6 BOX 76 / MCALESTER / OK
25 / ROGERS, MELISSA / HC 75 BOX 205 / MCALESTER / OK
26 / SENNETT, JOEL / 9/1/1978 / 2009 HOLLY RD / CLAREMORE / OK
2009 HOLLY RD / MCALESTER / OK
32 / TURNER, JEFF / 1/28/1947 / 4711 HARDY SPRINGS RD / MCALESTER / OK
4711 HARDY SPRINGS RD / MCALESTER / OK
4711 HARDY SPRINGS RD / MCALESTER / OK
34 / WALKER, STEPHANIE / 6/1/1968 / 622 W DELAWARE AVE / MCALESTER / OK